tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post7638816311803150080..comments2023-10-30T09:45:16.159-06:00Comments on Writing on the Wall: Sculpting to PerfectionPrecision Editing Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17054725687044240043noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-63833300845132178732009-01-05T16:17:00.000-07:002009-01-05T16:17:00.000-07:00I really liked this. Mainly because this is one o...I really liked this. Mainly because this is one of my dilemmas. Also, people who read your book will ALWAYS find things they think you should change. <BR/><BR/>I just read a book published by Bonneville, that I can't believe made it to publication. I'm not even that great at editing, yet, I saw many things I would have done different.<BR/><BR/>So, I guess you do your best, eh? Then send it in. I'll try that!hi, it's me! melissa chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05280379007196906037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-7815348575501827362009-01-03T23:48:00.000-07:002009-01-03T23:48:00.000-07:00I know my manuscript is done when I've gone from l...I know my manuscript is done when I've gone from loving it to hating it and I know I can't make myself read it one more time.Janette Rallisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00883483145480893640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-7322740414644897552008-12-31T15:36:00.000-07:002008-12-31T15:36:00.000-07:00From an author's point of view, your book will nev...From an author's point of view, your book will never be perfect. And even if it's the best you feel you can make it, a couple of years down the road, you'll probably want to fix something else yet again. I think having several readers (3-5) before submitting will give you a very balanced view of your story. You don't necessarily have to take everyone's advice 100% of the time. In fact, I probably take 75-80% of advice.Heather Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11634399663804195312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-17297074925381245902008-12-31T09:01:00.000-07:002008-12-31T09:01:00.000-07:00Charlie, you have a point. Knowing what advice to ...Charlie, you have a point. Knowing what advice to take and when to take it with a giant grain of salt is a skill writers develop over time and with the more manuscripts that GET critiqued. It's something that, after years, you learn in your gut.<BR/><BR/>When I do magazine articles and the like, I don't usually get critiques like this--it's not worth my time for something that short and (relatively speaking) simple in structure. But for a book-length work that I've spent months or longer on, it would be arrogant to think that I can see all the holes and weaknesses without outside, talented eyes looking at it too.<BR/><BR/>In my mind, the difference between good fiction writers and bad fiction writers is that the good ones are willing to rework and rewrite and are open to getting outside criticism. Not that they'll USE all the feedback, not by a long shot, but they're open to suggestions.Annette Lyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12493583432919249814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-22093572678047864902008-12-30T21:31:00.000-07:002008-12-30T21:31:00.000-07:00A couple year end comments, if you don't mind. I c...A couple year end comments, if you don't mind. I came across the LDStorymakers site early in '08 and have made sporadic contributions to the various blogs associated with it. In case I've forgotten to mention it, not that it's necessarily relevant, but I am LDS and a published writer. <BR/><BR/>I believe letting others read your prepublished ms is useful. It is useful in finding those pesky grammatical errors that infect everybody's writing. They're useful for letting the writer know what is generally liked or not by a particular reader. And whether or not your story logically flows; that is, does the ending logically and effectively support the beginning. <BR/><BR/>But I would also voice a word of caution. When I write I do so, first and foremost, for myself. By that I mean I have to please myself first. The story has to mean something to me. When you pick out readers whom will be direct and forthright in their analysis, you know some will say this isn't right or that doesn't fit well or the flow is off (where did that chapter come from). Suddenly you begin to question what you've written and, of course, you respect the opinions of your readers or you wouldn't have asked them to do it in the first place. You begin making changes (that tweaking mentioned by the original poster) trying to make your reader happy. Before you know it your story is becoming their story. Guard against that.<BR/><BR/>Listen to reader's comments. Heed the advice of those you respect. Use feedback wisely and above all make sure the story stays your own and makes you happy in the end.<BR/><BR/>Charlie MooreCharlie Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09650519124948533925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-56983488156916046252008-12-30T09:48:00.000-07:002008-12-30T09:48:00.000-07:00I love the 5 reader rule--getting that much feedba...I love the 5 reader rule--getting that much feedback will give you a really good overview of your book, often times finding those weaknesses that you wouldn't notice on your own. Great reminderJosihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10615874450489497826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113459088262891680.post-29697746369860898402008-12-30T09:35:00.000-07:002008-12-30T09:35:00.000-07:00Fantastic post and great reminder. Putting out som...Fantastic post and great reminder. Putting out something that's not ready and over-revising . . . tough balancing act that will be different for everyone. <BR/><BR/>I think most writers, in time, will reach a point where they can feel at a gut level that's it at least close to as good as they can make it.Annette Lyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12493583432919249814noreply@blogger.com